@article{fdi:010091312,
  title = {{E}valuation of the {S}aq aquifer groundwater resources in {A}l {U}la, {S}audi {A}rabia},
  author = {{B}uscarlet, {E}. and {D}esprats, {J}. {F}. and {O}uerghi, {Y}. and {S}eraphin, {P}ierre},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{R}egional sandstone aquifers in arid areas provide prolific water resources that can meet human water demands, but their sustainability is at risk where recharge is very low and significant withdrawals occur. {T}he {S}aq sandstone aquifer in the {A}l {U}la area ({S}audi {A}rabia) has been investigated through a field survey that included groundwater level measurement, groundwater sampling and analysis, crop inventory mapping and irrigation practice enquiries to assess groundwater abstractions. {A} groundwater model has been built to assimilate the collected data and investigate the aquifer response under various abstractions scenarios to meet future agricultural and domestic water demand. {S}ince the 1960's, water levels have dropped by 5-20 m within the {A}l {U}la {V}alley, with maximum water level drawdowns reaching 30-40 m in {A}l {U}la {C}ity. {P}resent water level drawdown rates range from 0.5 to 2 m year(-1) in the agricultural areas of the valley. {L}ess than half of the sampled groundwater is in compliance with regulatory guidelines for drinking water purpose, and high groundwater nitrate concentrations are observed in agricultural areas. {P}redictive scenarios of decreasing abstractions suggest a reduction in the water level decline by 2050 but do not reverse the current decreasing trend. {T}he estimated recharge is much lower than groundwater abstraction rates and current withdrawals are effectively mining the groundwater reserves. {F}urther challenges arise from a water quality standpoint, due to the presence of radionuclide activities (mostly {R}a-228) in the aquifer above the {WHO} guidelines.},
  keywords = {{S}audi {A}rabia ; {P}alaeozoic sandstones ; {A}griculture ; {N}umerical modelling ; {P}arameter estimation ; {ARABIE} {SAOUDITE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{H}ydrogeology {J}ournal},
  volume = {[{E}arly access]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {s10040--024--02817--8 [22 p.]},
  ISSN = {1431-2174},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.1007/s10040-024-02817-8},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010091312},
}